1 Going Home. (1/2)
In an opulent throne room, a ceremony was taking place. A stout grey-haired man in his forties said with gravitas.
”Squire Galahad von Highkeep.Through your valorous efforts in the extermination of the red hood bandit group and the show of unusual bravery at the face of danger. Thanks to putting your life in peril you managed to save Sir Mathews Hills life. For that, you shall be given the chance to take the Knight's oath. Do you accept?”
A black-haired youth barely eighteen knelt his chain mail shining and uttered grievously.
”I squire Galahad von Highkeep. Vow to protect the meek and strike the wicked.
I squire Galahad von Highkeep. Vow to enforce the Law of the King and the Law Of Gods.
I squireGalahad von Highkeep. Vow to safeguard the realm and my liege.
I squire Galahad von Highkeep. Vow to defend my subjects and my fief.
I squire Galahad von Highkeep. Vow to uphold the knight's honor and all that it entails.
So that is why I squire Galahad von Highkeep ask his Highness Baron Monver von Gragon to grand me knighthood so I may fulfill my oath.”
Baron Monver von Gragon then unsheathed his bastard sword and lightly tapped the youth with it first over his right shoulder and then the left one. He then said solemnly.
”I Baron Monvar von Gragon with the power vested to me by the supreme ruler the king and the divine gods officially declare you a knight Sir Galahad you may now rise. You have been officially knighted. Filling the prerequisites for you to inherit the title of Knight protector of the eastern fringe. May the gods bless you and lead you safely back to your fief coming tomorrow at the first light. But first, we shall have a banquetto celebrate the joyous occasion”
The banquet was short and unremarkable The Baron his family the two knights and the important figures of the barony gathered and ate. The Baron gifted Galahad a banner and a squire. The banner was beautifully sown with a black crow in a red background. While the squire was a strong and tall lad no older than thirteen, son of the current captain of the guard. The young lad was called Jack Capson. As the night grew long, everyone steadily retired to the rooms, and the night gave way today. At the first crack of dawn two riders were seen slowly journeying towards Highkeep.
At about an hour away from the town, the older youth said
”Hey, Jack. How do you feel leaving home for the first time and for such a long time? To be honest, I haven't been home for more than a decade and I don't remember much from my early childhood in the fief.
Jack then simply said
”Excited and afraid Sir Galahad”
Galahad looked deep in thought
”I am still shocked that I was the one to inherit the fief. After all, I do have an alive older brother. Which I have heard many praises about. As such it has been ten years since father died and anyone from our family managed the fief. Are there any peasants still watching over the land or would it be an empty village?
Jack then said.
”Sir if I may I say most people tend to stay in their villages for their entire life if nothing life-changing happens. As for your brother, I am sure you will one day meet him. Furthermore, I asked my father on what happens when a fief remains without a ruler. He told me that the fief falls under the control of a regent and most of the time they do a decent job.”
As the knight and squire continued there idle talk time passed, and the farmlands were replaced with managed woods. Then, the managed woods gave way to Galahad's own farmlands. As time slowly passed early midday set in a small wooden Keep appeared on the horizon. It was placed on the top of a small hill with a wooden palisade wall protecting the village resting at its foot. As we reached the gatehouse. We were greeted by a priest, ten men at arms and a tall hardy man wearing chain mail and breastplate riding a black horse as well as a slew of onlookers looking at their new lord for their first time.
The man rode up to Galahad and Jack and gave a small nod.
”Greetings Sir Galahad. I am Sir Mathew the Tall and I officially return the fiefdom under your jurisdiction. I shall leave now for my count requires my services. But before I do, I would like to inform you that Nikolas von Highkeep your older brother will arrive at this week with his entourage. We learned that through a crow letter about two turns of the hourglass ago. Goodbye Sir Galahad nice meeting you and may you have a prosperous reign.”
After that, a middle-aged priest introduced himself calmly.
”I am Markos the priest of the temple of Lados. I am here to bless your child and pray for your reign to be peaceful and prosperous.”
Finally, the leader of the men at arms walked forward a short greying man with a stout build. An old veteran with a worn but well-kept kettle helmet and chain mail the only man at arms with any metal armor pieces. The man then did a quick bow and then spoke steadily but with all the hallmarks of a commoner.
”I am Captain Hank of the Men at Arms at your service me lord”
Looking at the decent state of his fief and the news of his brother's arrival. Sir Galahad ordained that a feast shall take place in the keep. Soon him the priest the men at arms and his squire were eating and drinking joyously. But good things don't last forever and on the fifth day of banqueting.
In the first crack of dawn, a small entourage reached the small hold with both the knight, the priest and the men at arms in a comatose state from the constant banqueting none was there to greet Nikolas.
At the late afternoon, Nikolas woke up his useless excuse for a brother by kicking him.